been right once in a way, and The Jolly Grig tavern was not the only stronghold that she had invaded with the assertion that young Ashley had found favor in the Lady Barbara's eyes; that he had possessed her heart. And an onlooker might have seen that Ashley's nervous fingers had played an accompaniment upon his sword-hilt while the lady's name had been on the lips of her affianced lover and his friends. But not only had the Lady Barbara commanded Farquhart to have Ashley much in his company, but she had also commanded Ashley to accept whatever courtesies were offered him by Lord Farquhart. Each was obeying strictly the lady's commands, one for the sake of policy, the other for the sake of love.

A short silence fell after the toast had been drunk. The men had ridden hard and were tired.

"I'm sorry we did not meet the Black Devil, or one of his imps, ourselves," observed Treadway, yawning and stretching his arms above his head. "We're not in fashion if we can't report a hold up by this representa